James Taylor in Concert
James Taylor is the archetypal singer/songwriter, who helped create the template for the troubadour style that dominated the 1970s. And when he brings his blend of folk, pop, rock, and soul influences to the stage, it's like a part of history is unfolding before the crowd, with enough tuneful energy to generate some major good-time vibes. The five-time Grammy-winning, multi-platinum songsmith offered up tracks like "Fire and Rain" and "You've Got a Friend" to the collective pop-cultural consciousness in the '70s, and they've stayed there ever since. Of course, he's continued to make compelling music for many decades, and his shows are a grab bag of transfixing new tunes and beloved classics. Taylor's 2018 tour with his All-Star Band (not to be confused with Ringo Starr's similarly named group) also shows how much a crew of world-class players can bring to a classic catalog. Some of the most renowned musicians on the planet lend their talents to the band, including drumming god Steve Gadd, hotshot jazz pianist Kevin Hays, legendary saxman Lou Marini, and more.
James Taylor Background
James Taylor was born in Boston, but moved to North Carolina a few years later, and the bucolic settings of his childhood eventually informed the pastoral side of his songwriting in a major way. He learned guitar in his adolescence, soaking up folk and blues influences before hitting the coffeehouse circuit in the '60s. Before too long he was in Greenwich Village fronting a band called The Flying Machine, but he soon emerged as a solo singer/songwriter. His 1970 album ‘Sweet Baby James' became a game-changer for the whole '70s music scene. Alongside the likes of Carole King and Joni Mitchell, Taylor epitomized the thoughtful, acoustic-based ballad style that came to dominate the era, and ubiquitous hits like "Fire and Rain" and "Country Road" were central to that style. In later years Taylor showed his versatility by scoring smash singles with covers of R&B tunes like Marvin Gaye's "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" and Jimmy Jones' '50s hit "Handyman," and Taylor has never stopped finding fresh ways to bring his work to the huge audience that's been addicted to his music for decades.
James Taylor 2021 Tour Dates
May 14, 2021 - Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, LA
May 17, 2021 - Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX
May 21, 2021 - ExtraMile Arena in Boise, ID
May 23, 2021 - Tacoma Dome in Tacoma, WA
May 24, 2021 - Moda Center in Portland, OR
May 26, 2021 - Chase Center in San Francisco, CA
May 28, 2021 - Chase Center in Anaheim, CA
June 9, 2021 - United Center in Chicago, IL
June 11, 2021 - Blossom Music Center in Cuyahoga Falls, OH
June 12, 2021 - DTE Energy Music Theatre in Detroit, MI
June 14, 2021 - WSU Nutter Center in Dayton, OH
June 15, 2021 - Charleston Coliseum in Charleston, WV
June 17, 2021 - PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA
June 25, 2021 - KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, KY
June 26, 2021 - FedExForum in Memphis, TN
June 28, 2021 - Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN
July 1, 2021 - Giant Center in Hershey, PA
July 2, 2021 - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts in Bethel, NY
July 7, 2021 - PNC Bank Arts Center in Holmdel, NJ
July 9, 2021 - BB&T Pavilion in Camden, NJ
July 10, 2021 - Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater in Wantagh, NY
September 12, 2021 - Mile One Centre in St. Johns, NL
September 15, 2021 - Scotiabank Centre in Halifax, NS
September 16, 2021 - Avenir Centre in Moncton, NB
September 18, 2021 - Centre Bell in Montreal, QC
September 19, 2021 - Canadian Tire Center in Ottawa, ON
September 21, 2021 - Budweiser Gardens in London, ON
September 22, 2021 - Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON
September 26, 2021 - Bell MTS Place in Winnipeg, MB
September 28, 2021 - Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB
September 29, 2021 - Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB
October 1, 2021 - Save On Foods Memorial Centre in Victoria, BC
October 2, 2021 - Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC